If you’re exercising and eating healthy, hoping to see those abs show up, you might be curious about when that’ll happen. But doing tons of crunches won’t automatically give you a six-pack. The real deal is lowering your body fat percentage overall.
Yes, working on your ab muscles is great, but to actually see them, you’ve got to trim down the fat covering them. Sadly, you can’t just target belly fat specifically. You’ve got to reduce fat all over your body, including your tummy, to start seeing those abs.
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What does Body Fat Percentage mean, and how to measure it?
Body fat percentage tells you how much fat you have in your body. There are two types: essential fat, which your body needs for protection and warmth, and storage fat, which is the extra fat stored in your body.
You can measure body fat percentage in different ways. One way is by using skinfold measurements, but this method isn’t super accurate, even if done by a pro. Another method is using an InBody machine at the gym, which sends a small electric signal through your body to measure fat. It’s not the most accurate either.
The most accurate ways to measure body fat percentage are with a DEXA scan or a BodPod test. These tests are done at special clinics and can be expensive, usually costing around $250 to $300. What’s cool about these tests is that they can show you exactly where your fat is in your body, which can be helpful if you’re trying to get a six-pack.
Male body fat percentage
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5 to 9 percent: You’re in top shape, like a competition bodybuilder. Very hard to achieve and not great for your body. If you’re closer to 9 percent, you’ll still have a visible six-pack.
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10 to 14 percent: Lean with visible abs. Healthier and easier to achieve than 5 to 9 percent. Some ab definition, but not as defined as the lower range.
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15 to 19 percent: Still healthy, but less muscle definition. Unlikely to see ab definition.
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20 to 24 percent: You might be soft around the middle and won’t see your abs. Considered the higher end of “average.”
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25 to 29 percent: Abs won’t be visible. Considered obese for men. Focus on healthy lifestyle choices.
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30 to 34 percent: Outside help may be needed. Not healthy, and no muscle definition.
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35 to 39 percent: Warning for health issues like diabetes and heart disease. Take action for your well-being.
Female body fat percentage
- 5 to 9 percent: Very low and dangerous. You might see your abs, but it could harm your health. At least 8 to 10 percent is essential for staying healthy.
- 10 to 14 percent: Still low, but safer. You’ll have a really athletic look with visible abs if your muscles are thick.
- 15 to 19 percent: Athletic build with good shape and less fat. Abs might not be as defined, but still noticeable with proper diet and exercise.
- 20 to 24 percent: Considered low to average. You won’t have perfect muscle definition, but your natural curves will show.
- 25 to 29 percent: Starting to look softer. Not much extra fat, but less definition.
- 30 to 34 percent: Heading towards obesity. Abs won’t be visible, and you might not feel great.
- 35 to 39 percent: Red flag for weight loss. High risk of diabetes and heart disease.
What Body Fat Percentage Do I Need to See My Abs?
If you want to see your abs, it’s not just about hitting a specific body fat percentage. Different factors like where your body stores fat and your muscle mass play a big role. So, even if two people have the same body fat percentage, one might have visible abs while the other might not.
Here’s a rough idea though:
- For guys, aiming for around 6 to 17 percent body fat should make your abs pop.
- For ladies, it’s about 14 to 24 percent body fat.
You’ll start seeing definition more around 17 percent for men and 24 percent for women. And as you get leaner, your abs will look more sculpted.
How to Lower Your Body Fat Percentage
To lower your body fat percentage, you need to watch what you eat and get moving. Here’s a simple plan:
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Eat Less Than You Burn: If you eat fewer calories than your body needs, you’ll start shedding fat. Use an online calculator to figure out how many calories you burn in a day, then eat a bit less than that—like 100-200 calories fewer.
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Get Moving: Add some intense workouts to your routine. Here are a few to try:
a. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): This means short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief rest periods. Think sprinting for 30 seconds, then walking for a minute, and repeat.
b. Strength Training: Lift weights or do bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats. Building muscle helps burn fat even when you’re not working out. If you don’t have time for exercise, you may try using the ab stimulators. Our ab stimulator is affordable and effective.
c. Cardio: Running, biking, or swimming for longer periods at a moderate intensity can also help burn fat.
If you need more guidance, make an appointment with our online personal training.